| Unit name | Year Abroad TB-1 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODL20014 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Foster |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of Year Two. |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The Year Abroad is integral to a student’s understanding of their target languages and associated cultures. It is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of a Modern Languages degree, and represents 10% of the overall degree classification. Through either a study or work placement arranged in consultation with the School of Modern Languages (SML), students are immersed into a foreign environment. This immersion is both linguistic and cultural, enabling students to inhabit their target languages on a daily basis and to experience first-hand the cultures in which these are used.
As a formative year of personal development, the Year Abroad moves students beyond the structured learning environment of the seminar room into more independent learning spaces. In turn, students are required to take greater ownership of their learning experiences, whilst at the same time developing the resourcefulness and adaptability that is necessary to living and working abroad.
The Year Abroad enables students to learn and develop substantial new skills and knowledge throughout their study or work placement.
In order to fulfil the aims specified below students should normally spend at least three months of continuous residence in the country concerned.
Students should:
By the end of the Year Abroad, students are expected to:
Given the experiential learning model of the Year Abroad, there are no lectures or seminars during the time spent abroad.
Learning is conducted primarily through the linguistic and cultural immersion of living abroad and aided through fieldwork undertaken on site as part of the student’s Assignments (see below) which are independent study projects developed with the support of a tutor.
However, to facilitate student preparation for the third year of their degree and successful completion of the Year Abroad itself, an extensive programme of preparation is offered, commencing at the end of Y1 and continuing through Y2.
This programme begins with a one-hour introductory session (‘Thinking About the Year Abroad’) at the end of Y1, supported by the Careers Service and Global Opportunities Team (International Office).
At the start of Y2, each Department runs a one 1hr briefing session for each language studied on the Year Abroad.
These briefings will include outline information on (i) work placements, (ii) study placements; and (iii) British Council Teaching Assistantships.
Following these sessions students will be asked to identify their intended method of fulfilling the course requirement of spending time abroad.
In TB2, students will attend a series of full-cohort seminars that address different aspects of the Year Abroad. These sessions will include:
In addition, there will be use of Consultation Hours as required. All students must have their plans approved by the relevant language department before proceeding and are expected to discuss their plans at Personal Tutor meetings at relevant points.
Y2 language classes exercises include CV / cover-letter writing for job applications and researching Year Abroad destinations
There are also pre-departure online tutorials to test key areas of preparation, including personal insurance, health and safety, and risk assessment.
During the year abroad itself, individual supervision of student assignments will take place via email / Skype. Students are required to submit an initial written proposal via Blackboard for each essay and receive feedback on this document. Further guidance is provided by tutors throughout the year.
All relevant presentations, handbooks, and other information (annotated examples of successful student assignments, and testimonials from Y4 students) are posted on the Year Abroad Blackboard Site).
After departure, students are required to submit Year Abroad Update Forms to the SML Office (shortly after the start of each semester placement), with their Personal Tutor being alerted should any problems arise.
Personal Tutors will contact students throughout the year to monitor their progress, and will also be available for academic and pastoral consultation as required. Funding for pastoral visits is available from the International Office Global Opportunities team.
1 (x 2500-word) essay, written in the target language, usually the language of the country in which the student is spending the placement period. (75%). [ILOs 1-3]
1 x 4-minute audio-visual report in the target language, presenting key findings of the essay. (25%) [ILOs 1-3].
Each essay and video report is on a topic of the student’s choosing, to be decided in consultation with their Essay Tutors in each language department (one of whom will be their Personal Tutor, affiliated to one of those departments).
These assignments must relate to areas of foreign culture which they are experiencing first-hand during their semester placements abroad, and which they can research on site (e.g. the arts; local culture; dialect; national politics, and so on).
Markers will pay equal attention both to the language and content of each essay.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODL20014).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
